Before we come to the article for this Christmas week, let me encourage our readers to go back and read last week’s column, Needing Order in a Disordered World. It is in the archives of The Augusta Press. It was written with this Christmas Week’s article in view. The two go together and should be read together for the best effect.
He Is Born
We are all familiar with the story of the birth of Jesus on that cold winter night in Bethlehem about 2124 years ago. The story has been told many times; so many times, that people have become accustomed to what had happened on that night and do not give it the reverence and wonder that is deserves. Too much time is given to having a good time and passing out gifts for people that the real focus of the season is almost if not altogether forgotten.
Everything about the birth of Jesus was and is a supernatural event. When the angel, Gabriel, told Mary that she was to give birth to the Son of God it was a supernatural event. When an angel appeared to Joseph telling him what was happening to Mary and to him, it was a supernatural event. When the shepherds saw and heard the message of the angels concerning the birth of the King of the Jews, it was a supernatural event. When they saw the heavenly choir singing at the birth of Jesus, it was a supernatural event. When He was conceived and born with an earthly mother (Mary) and a heavenly father (God), it was a supernatural event. When the “Magi”…the Wise Men….found him, brought their gifts and paid their visit, it was a supernatural event. I believe that the star was a supernatural event also.
Astronomists believe that the “star” was a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn with Mars joining them a year later. This conjunction only occurs once in every eight hundred years. As man tries to explain the “star” that the Magi or Wise Men were following, they naturally seek to find a natural reason for this event. This conjunction seems reasonable enough to men. But, I would differ. Everything else about the birth of Jesus was supernatural and I think that this star was a supernatural event as well.
When the Wise Men were searching for Jesus, they went to Herod the Great and inquired as to the whereabouts of the baby who was born “King of the Jews.” Well…Herod was recognized as King of the Jews and of course, he was worried about anyone being born that might take his throne. We know the story of how he sent them away but wanted them to come back and inform him of where this baby was. Ultimately, they were warned by God not to return to Herod. But, the scripture tells us something very important. It says in Matthew 2:9 that that the star which they saw in the east, went before them until it came and stood over where the young child was. Now wait a minute. If this was a conjunction being called the star there are a couple of things to consider. A conjunction doesn’t last a couple of years but only a few days. Also a conjunction which happens high in the heavens cannot possibly pinpoint one place where the child was. It seems that this “star” reappeared and directed them to the exact spot where the child was in Bethlehem. It was specific to the birth of Jesus. It was a supernatural event just like other aspects of the Birth of Christ. Matthew 2:10 also says…”When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.” They had left their homes in the East to follow a star and it appears from the statement that they lost sight of it (the conjunction had ceased) and then it appeared to them again directing them to where Jesus was. I don’t think the Christmas “star” was a conjunction but a supernatural light that God used to bring them to the Child.
I have been to Bethlehem six times and I have been to the place that the church, from the earliest days, says that this place in authentic. When a person goes into the crypt which served as a place to keep livestock, they “feel” that there is something special and holy about the place. It is down in a cave underneath the ancient Church which is built over the place of His birth. As one enters the place it is easy to observe that there is a “manger” carved into the wall of the cave. And immediately a person recalls the scriptural passage which says that He was “wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger.” The manger is only a few steps away from where a bronze star is affixed in the floor designating the place where Jesus was born. I have included a photo of that bronze star with this article.
This “cave” where Jesus was born is the place where God entered the world in order to “save men from their sins.” This is the place where light and God’s order entered the world. It was at that spot where God began to put His world back in order and straighten out what satan did in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve when men and women became sinners needing to be saved. The perfect Garden had been infected with sin and disobedience to God. Only one person could do the job and Jesus was that person. No one else was equipped to do what this little child was equipped to do. He came among us to die for us and then be raised for our justification. From the manger to the grave, Jesus was the person to bring salvation to the world which has been needed since satan corrupted God’s creation in the Garden of Eden. Now, a person can see how last week’s article entitled, “Needing Order in a Disordered World” is a lead-up to this one today entitled ”He is Born.”
Think on this: The One whose Birthday we celebrate on Christmas Day is the very same one who makes Heaven possible for you after you leave this earth one day. Everything about His life was supernatural….His birth, His death, His Resurrection, His ascension into Heaven and His Second Coming which is coming soon I believe. His total life was supernatural and it’s not over yet. Remember Him on His day. Worship Him in your life. Don’t let the world take your eye off of Jesus on Christmas Day!
My wish for all our readers is that you will have the very best and the Merriest Christmas ever!
